Ahmadinejad Targeted by Rumours From Arrest to Death
In Iran’s closed political dynamics, rumours often serve as a sharp weapon. One of the biggest information dramas occurred in January 2018, when international media widely reported the arrest of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on charges of inciting economic protests. However, history records that the event was merely a hoax or organised misinformation.
A quick clarification came from within the former president’s circle, debunking speculation that had world audiences pondering a permanent rift among Iran’s elites.
In response to reports initially published by London-based outlets, Ahmadinejad’s lawyer issued an official statement to Asharq Al-Awsat and was cited by Deutsche Welle (DW). He asserted that his client was free and that the arrest news was not true.
‘News of Ahmadinejad’s arrest is not true. Follow accurate news from trusted sources,’ the lawyer said at the time.
Ahmadinejad is a singular figure in Iran’s political structure. Although he emerged from the conservative establishment, he often acts as an ‘opposition from within’. There are several reasons why the arrest rumours were easy for the public to believe:
The case serves as an important reminder for editorial teams about the importance of fact-checking in conflict zones. Up to March 2026, the pattern of information dissemination in Iran remained similar—full of unilateral claims and reports from ‘anonymous sources’ that often served political agitation.
Interestingly, in 2026 this year, Ahmadinejad again drew attention after reports that he survived a murder attempt amid a leadership crisis following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. His political resilience proved that he is a true ‘survivor’ in Tehran’s political labyrinth.
Q&A:
- Is it true that Ahmadinejad was arrested in Shiraz in 2018?
No. The report was refuted by his lawyer and proven to be a hoax circulated during a national protest.
- What is Ahmadinejad’s political status in 2026?
As of March 2026, he remains an active political figure in Iran and is reported to have survived a serious security threat amid the country’s leadership transition.
- Why do fake news about Iranian figures often surface?
Because information control is tight inside Iran, foreign media often rely on secondary sources that sometimes have a particular political agenda.
Verification of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s latest status in 2026. Is he still alive after the airstrike in Tehran? See the full facts here.
Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is reported to have survived a murder attempt amid air strikes on Tehran.